IRVING RETURNS, CARRIES CELTICS PAST T-WOLVES

MINNEAPOLIS» Kyrie Irving returned from a one-game absence to help Boston fend off Minnesota, finishing with 23 points, seven rebounds and eight assists to pace the Celtics in a 117-109 victory over the Timberwolves on Thursday night.

Al Horford added 20 points, eight rebounds, six assists and tough defense on Karl-Anthony Towns for the Celtics, who stayed two games behind Toronto in the Eastern Conference race with their sixth win in seven games. They have three more losses than the Raptors.

Nemanja Bjelica scored a career-high 30 points on 11-for-16 shooting, including 6-for-9 from 3-point range. His first 20-10 game in the NBA was ultimately wasted in the third straight loss for the Timberwolves, who are still trying to find their way without injured all-star Jimmy Butler. They trailed by as many as 18 points soon after halftime, too much to overcome some second-half surges behind Bjelica and 18 points from Taj Gibson on 8-for-10 shooting.

Marcus Morris added 17 points for the Celtics, whose victory was tempered a bit by the hard landing Jaylen Brown took on his back after a dunk late in the third quarter. He left with 14 points for evaluation of concussion-like symptoms.

THURSDAY’S HIGHLIGHTS

Hassan Whiteside scored 26 points and Dwyane Wade contributed 16 as the Heat moved a step closer to the playoffs by beating the 76ers 108-99. Josh Richardson scored 13 points, Tyler Johnson had 12 and Kelly Olynyk added 10 to help the Heat stay No. 7 in the Eastern Conference, one behind No. 6 Philadelphia. … Allen Crabbe made his first six 3-point attempts and finished with 29 points and eight rebounds, helping the Nets beat the Hornets 125-111 to snap a four-game losing streak. Caris Levert scored 22 points, and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson had 18 points and 12 rebounds for the Nets. They entered the game tied for the worst record in the Eastern Conference. … Russell Westbrook had 27 points, eight rebounds and nine assists to help the Thunder rout the Suns 115-87. Paul George added 21 points, Corey Brewer had 17, Steven Adams 16, and Carmelo Anthony 11. Brewer, who made his Thunder debut two games ago, replaced Josh Huestis in the starting lineup and responded with a 6-for-11 performance from the floor.